Ukraine was in 96th placeUkraine returns to top 100 of World Press Freedom Index , Ukrinform (21 April 2020) out of 180 countries listed in the 2020 World Press Freedom Index, having returned to top 100 of this list for the first time since 2009, but dropped down one spot to 97th place in 2021, being characterized as being in a "difficult situation".
Press freedom scores had significantly improved since the Orange Revolution of 2004.Freedom of the Press 2007: A Global Survey of Media Independence by Freedom House, Rowman & Littlefield, 2007, (page 11/12) However, in 2010 and again in 2011 Freedom House perceived "negative trends in Ukraine" with government-critical opposition media outlets being closed.Report Says Decline In Freedom Continues Across Former Soviet Union , Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (13 January 2011)
According to the Freedom House, The Ukrainian legal framework on media freedom used to be "among the most progressive in eastern Europe", although implementation has been uneven. The Constitution of Ukraine and a 1991 law provide for freedom of speech.1999 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ukraine , US Department of State (23 February 2000)
Many Ukrainian journalists found themselves internally displaced due to the Russian annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas, including Donetsk-based investigative journalist Oleksiy Matsuka, Luhansk blogger Serhiy Ivanov and Donetsk Ostrov independent website editor Serhiy Harmash. The entire staff of Ostrov left the occupied Donbas areas and relocated to Kyiv.
History
The Freedom in the World report by Freedom House rated Ukraine "partly free" from 1992 until 2003, when it was rated "not free". After 2005, it was rated "partly free" again. According to Freedom House internet in Ukraine is "Free" and the press is "Partly Free".
Ukraine's ranking in Reporters Without Borders' (RSF) Press Freedom Index had long been around the 90th spot (89 in 2009, 87 in 2008), falling to 112th in 2002 and even 132nd in 2004. In 2010 it fell to 131st; RSF attributed this decline to "the slow and steady deterioration in press freedom since Viktor Yanukovych's election". Though it risen to 126th by 2013, the RSF alleged Ukraine had "set the worst record for the media since the Orange Revolution in 2004". In the 2017 World Press Freedom Index Ukraine was placed 102nd. As of 2026, amidst the Russo-Ukrainian war, its position has dramatically improved to 55th. The RSF noted that the media landscape in Ukraine was dramatically reshaped by the full-scale invasion, lauding its efficacy in combating disinformation and conveying accurate information. RSF noted that fighting had made Ukraine exceedingly dangerous for journalists, who were "sometimes deliberately targeted by military fire and, more recently, by Russian drones despite displaying their “press” identification".
During an opinion poll by Research & Branding Group in October 2009 49.2% of the respondents stated that Ukraine's level of freedom of speech was sufficient, and 19.6% said the opposite. Another 24.2% said that there was too much of freedom of speech in Ukraine. According to the data, 62% of respondents in western Ukraine considered the level of freedom of speech sufficient, and in the central and southeastern regions the figures were 44% and 47%, respectively.
In a late 2010 poll also conducted by the Research & Branding Group 56% of all Ukrainians trusted the media and 38.5% didn't.
Kuchma presidencies (1994–2004)
After the (only) term of office of the first Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk ended in 1994, the freedom of the press worsened. During the presidency of Leonid Kuchma (1994–2004) several news-outlets critical to him were forcefully closed. In 1999 the Committee to Protect Journalists placed Kuchma on the list of worst enemies of the press. In that year the Ukrainian Government partially limited freedom of the press through tax inspections (Mykola Azarov, who later became Prime Minister of Ukraine, headed the tax authority during Kuchma's presidencyMykola Azarov: Yanukovych's Right-Hand Man , Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (12 March 2010)), libel cases, subsidization, and intimidation of journalists; this caused many journalists to practice self-censorship. In 2003 and 2004 authorities interfered with the media by issuing written and oral instructions about what events to cover. Toward the very end of the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election campaign in November 2004, many media outlets began to ignore government direction and covered events in a more objective, professional manner.
Orange revolution and Yushchenko presidency (2004–2010) Since the Orange Revolution (of 2004) Ukrainian became more pluralistic and independent.CIS: Press Freedom In Former Soviet Union Under Assault , Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (28 April 2006 )2006 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ukraine , US Department of State (6 March 2007) For instance, attempts by authorities to limit freedom of the press through tax inspections have ceased.2003 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ukraine , US Department of State (25 February 2004)2004 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ukraine , US Department of State (28 February 2005)2000 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ukraine , US Department of State (23 February 2001)2001 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ukraine , US Department of State (4 March 2002)2002 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ukraine , US Department of State (31 March 2003)2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ukraine , US Department of State (8 March 2006) Since then the Ukrainian press was considered to be among the freest of all post-Soviet states (only the Baltic states are considered "free").Ukraine (Country Guide) by Sarah Johnstone and Greg Bloom, Lonely Planet, 2008, (page 39)
After the 2005 Orange Revolution, Ukrainian television became more free. In February 2009 the National Council for Television and Radio Broadcasting claimed that "political pressure on mass media increased in recent times through amending laws and other normative acts to strengthen influence on mass media and regulatory bodies in this sphere".
In 2007, in Ukraine's provinces numerous, anonymous attacks and threats persisted against journalists, who investigated or exposed corruption or other government misdeeds.Media crackdown under way?, Kyiv Post (22 April 2010) The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists concluded in 2007 that these attacks, and police reluctance in some cases to pursue the perpetrators, were "helping to foster an atmosphere of impunity against independent journalists."
In Ukraine's provinces numerous, anonymous attacksLocal newspaper editor badly injured in assault , Reporters Without Borders (31 March 2010) and threats persisted against journalists, who investigated or exposed corruption or other government misdeeds.Disturbing deterioration in press freedom situation since new president took over , Reporters Without Borders (15 April 2010)Media crackdown under way?, Kyiv Post (22 April 2010) The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists concluded in 2007 that these attacks, and police reluctance in some cases to pursue the perpetrators, were "helping to foster an atmosphere of impunity against independent journalists." Media watchdogs have stated attacks and pressure on journalists have increased since the February 2010 election of Viktor Yanukovych as President.Concerns Mount About Press Freedom In Ukraine As Journalist Attacked , Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (21 September 2010)
In December 2009, and during the 2010 Ukrainian presidential election, campaign incumbent Prime Minister of Ukraine and presidential candidateMore women than men support Tymoshenko, poll shows, Kyiv Post (7 December 2009) Yulia Tymoshenko complained Ukrainian TV channels are manipulating the consciousness of citizens in favor of financial and oligarchic groups.Tymoshenko accuses central TV channels of manipulating people's consciousness in favor of oligarchs, Kyiv Post (8 December 2009) As of January 2009, Ukrainian Prime Minister, Yulia Tymoshenko refused to appear in Inter TV-programmes "until journalists, management and owners of the TV channel stop destroying the freedom of speech and until they remember the essence of their profession - honesty, objectiveness, and unbiased stand".
Yanukovych presidency (2010-2013) Since Viktor Yanukovych was elected President of Ukraine in February 2010 Ukrainian journalists and international journalistic watchdogs (including the European Federation of Journalists and Reporters Without Borders) have complained about a deterioration of press freedom in Ukraine. Yanukovych responded (in May 2010) that he "deeply values press freedom" and that "free, independent media that must ensure society's unimpeded access to information". Anonymous journalists stated early May 2010 that they were voluntarily tailoring their coverage so as not to offend the Yanukovych administration and the Azarov Government.Journalists, in defensive crouch, swing news coverage to Yanukovych's favor, Kyiv Post (6 May 2009) The Azarov Government denies censoring the media,Semynozhenko: No examples of censorship on Ukrainian TV channels, Kyiv Post (13 May 2009) so did the Presidential AdministrationOpposition benefiting from topic of censorship at mass media, says Hanna Herman, Kyiv Post (13 May 2009) and President Yanukovych himself. Янукович: Україна готова, якщо Європа готова , BBC Ukrainian (10 May 2010) Presidential Administration Deputy Head Hanna Herman stated on 13 May 2010 that the opposition benefited from discussions about the freedom of the press in Ukraine and also suggested that the recent reaction of foreign journalists organizations had been provoked by the opposition. On 12 May 2010, the parliamentary committee for freedom of speech and information called on the General Prosecutor's Office to immediately investigate complaints by journalists of pressure on journalists and censorship.Special committee calls to check reports of pressure on journalists, Kyiv Post (13 May 2009) Also in May 2010 the Stop Censorship movement was founded by more than 500 journalist.
A law on strengthening the protection of the ownership of mass media offices, publishing houses, bookshops and distributors, as well as creative unions was passed by the Ukrainian Parliament on 20 May 2010.Parliament bans forced removal of state and municipal mass media offices, Kyiv Post (21 May 2009)
Since the February 2010 election of Viktor Yanukovych as President Media watchdogs have stated attacks and pressure on journalists have increased. The International Press Institute addressed an open letter to President Yanukovych on 10 August 2010 urging him to address what the organisation saw as a disturbing deterioration in press freedom over the previous six months in Ukraine.International Press Institute: Ukraine's press freedom environment has deteriorated 'significantly', Kyiv Post (11 August 2010) PACE rapporteur Renate Wohlwend noticed on 6 October 2010 that "Some progress had been made in recent years but there had also been some retrograde steps".European rapporteurs note media setback in Ukraine, Kyiv Post (6 October 2010) In January 2011 Freedom House stated it had perceived "negative trends in Ukraine" during 2010; these included: curbs on press freedom, the intimidation of civil society, and greater government influence on the judiciary.